According to Heather Ferrier, owner of what Natural Home dubs the greenest house in Texas, "When people visit, the first thing they say is that this place feels happy." We can see why—the home is filled with sparkling sunlight and natural accents. What's more, this recent college graduate's home was built to be energy-efficient and affordable.

Located in the Fort Worth suburbs, the 2,028-square-foot passive solar home is nearly zero energy. It has received the U.S. Green Building Council's Platinum ranking (the first in Texas and third in the country), among other accolades, and is a prototype for the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program. It was built for $235,000 and utilities average $75 per month (about $200 less per month than neighboring homes). The home is an inspiring example of green suburban life, whether you're looking to build from scratch or incorporate particular energy- and space-efficient details.

To see more pictures and learn about the home's interior decor, energy systems, building materials, construction, and landscaping, check out the January/February 2010 issue of Natural Home magazine in print or online.

(Images: Paul Bardagjy/Natural Home)